Literature Review: The sFlt1/PlGF Ratio and Pregestational Maternal Comorbidities: New Risk Factors to Predict Pre-Eclampsia

Abstract

One of the main causes of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality is pre-eclampsia. It is characterized by a high sFlt1/PlGF ratio, according to prior research. Pregestational diseases in mothers may increase the risk of developing pre-eclampsia. Only a few studies have looked at the connection between maternal comorbidities before conception and the sFlt1/PlGF ratio. The most recent information regarding the association between maternal pregestational diseases and the ratio of sFlt1/PlGF is described in this review. The paper also examines current research suggesting that changes in pregnancy hormones and metabolites are related to a high sFlt1/PlGF ratio. Certain maternal disorders have been found to dramatically raise sFlt-1 and sFlt1/PlGF levels, according to an analysis of the literature. There is still debate about the data on the association between the sFlt1/PlGF ratio and maternal disorders such as HIV, acute coronary syndromes, cardiovascular function in the mother between 19 and 23 weeks of pregnancy, thyroid hormones, diabetes, and cancer. Additional research is needed to confirm these findings.

Biomarkers for Early Prediction and Management of Preeclampsia: A Comprehensive Review

“…sFlt-1 is an anti-angiogenic protein that binds to and inhibits proteins, such as PlGF and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), thereby causing endothelial dysfunction [ 31 , 32 ]. sFlt-1 is one of the isoforms of the glycosylated sFlt protein [ 33 ].…”